Landmark_091725 by Wednesday Journal

September 17, 2025

After Snapchat threat, parents take concerns to RB school board

Social media messag

threatened shooting, included racial slurs

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Late in the night on Sept. 3 a Riverside Brookfield High School student reportedly sent a Snapchat message to a fellow student in which he threatened to shoot the student and some of his friends. The threat was sent to just one student but referred to other students and included racist and homophobic slurs.

Two mothers of students who were threatened spoke about the threat at the Sept. 9 meeting of the RBHS school board. One of the mothers, Margot Zamora, waved a printed copy of the Snapchat message during her public comment at the school board meeting.

Zamora told the school board that she wanted all of her son’s teachers infor med of the threat.

Another mother of a threatened student also spoke at the meeting.

“I am basically here because awareness needs to be shared and things need to

Riverside weighs choices for 2026 nancial forecast

e village board gave input on trolley stops, a possible amusement tax and automatic water payments

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside trustees have directed staf f to pursue various changes as the village looks ahead at its finances through 2030.

At the village board’s Sept. 4 meeting, Finance Director Yvette Zavala presented a financial forecast of the village’s revenues through the next five years. She said Riverside’s municipal sales tax is expected to fall by about $45,000 in 2026 due to the expiration of the 1% grocery tax, which trustees in July said they did not want to implement locally.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, Zavala asked the board for input on six minor matters that could affect the village’s funding and operation.

First, she asked whether trustees would like to increase the portion of the property tax levy that is dedicated to the parks and recreation depart-

DI SH ABOU T A DI SH

At Taco Azteca you have to try the quesabirria

A new Mexican street food makes mouths water in Brook eld

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

Driving home from work one day, Cheryl Vargas was craving a new flavor. The owner of Oak Park’s Studio928 has lived in the Brookfield and La Grange area for more than a decade.

She noticed the Aztec warrior painted on the windows of the restaurant at 9200 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield offering passersby a taco. “ I’m li ke, I need to t ry a new Mexica n restaurant, and I li ke to t ry new thing s. So, I stumbled across it and j ust drove in here, ” Va rgas said. “That’s how I found Ta co Azteca. ”

Inside the relaxed space customers order at the re gister and take a seat. Food from the extensive menu of Mexican and a few American favorites is brought to the table. The first time Vargas chose rice and beans only. Her typical first test for flavor. Then she decided to get quesabirria. She had tried it from a food truck once before

and thought it was good.

“I’m like, wow, this thing, this is amazing!” Vargas said.

Quesabirria has made its way onto local menus over the past 10 years – an Instagram star for its combination of quesadilla fixings with birria, a style of gently ste meat. The recipe originated in Tijuana, but the birria process comes from Jalisc Mexico the protein is goat, but in the it’s usually a beef.

Tortillas are dipped in oil. Cheese is melted and crisped on the same grill, before two are joined together. Birria meat goes on next, then onions and cilantro, if so desire. The filled tortilla is bent into a taco-shape, and the exterior is grilled and served with a beef broth to dip in. The liquid has some spicy heat but doesn’t whelm other flavors.

“What makes it excellent is the crunchi ness and the texture of the taco itself,” gas said. “And then the meat, it’s stewed unti it’s really tender. And it’s just great taste

Taco Azteca opened in 2019. The whole Yepez family pitches in. Eduardo owned a carniceria, a butcher shop, Mexico. His wife, Marta, keeps things moving in the back of the store. Their son, Uri, translated for his father for this intervie

“I’ve always been a businessman,” Eduar do Yepez said. “When we got here, my dream seemed easier

“He said, ‘I’m specifico,’ meaning he always tries to find the best quality,” Uri

attention to detail is something that

“I was so pleasantly surprised to find that I was not constantly spitting out termeat. And it’s obviground as the butcher, right? Because I mean, there’s going to all going to be wonderful,” she said. restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chilaquiles is a popular item on the breakfast menu. are simmered in salsa, ke onion, ’s topped best eaten on the spot because the combination of maintaining their crispness and others becoming soft and chewy is the essence of this dish.

A favorite on the lunch and dinner menu is enchiladas.

“I like the chicken. I like the cheese,” Uri

Taco Azteca ow ner Eduardo Yepez and diner Cheryl Vargas

Yepez said.

“Yes, ye s, ye s. T hey ’re all g ood,” Va rg as added.

The Yepez family feels that what makes their offerings stand out is both the quality of the ingredients and the care they put into the preparation.

“The timing for it, the prepping is very important. Like the barbacoa, it can take up to eight hours getting cooked,” Eduardo Yepez said. “And it has to be on low flame. We don’t got to rush. We got to try to find the time to make it and do it right.”

Get in on the

tacoaztecail.com

9200 Ogden Ave., Brookfield

Hours: Sun - Thur: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fri - Sat: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739 E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com

w ww.RBLandmark.com

$95 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2025 Growing

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Riverside extends leases for oodwall properties

Saturday, Sept. 20th 9:00 am –Noon

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

Saturday, Sept. 20th 9:00 am –Noon

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot

40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

This FREE event is only for Riverside Township residents and only for personal, confidential documents No business shredding, magazines, or junk mail. Each household is restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper.

This FREE event is only for Riverside Township residents and only for personal, confidential documents. No business shredding, magazines, or junk mail. Each household is restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper.

Tenants on West Avenue can stay at least through August 2026

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

at their Sept. 4 meeting, meaning they did not discuss them or c onsider them individually.

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; place the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and then simply pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling.

Riverside has extended lease ag reements for three residential units at 8 and 8½ West Ave., two properties it bought in June in connection with its project to build a floodwall along Groveland Avenue.

When the board discussed the property acquisition in April, Village President Doug Pollock called the parcels “critical” in Riverside’s ongoing plan to construct the Groveland Avenue floodwall, which would run from south of the properties on West Avenue up to where Groveland meets Park Place.

, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; p documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and then simply pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; p the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and then simply pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

After approving the assignment of a contract to purchase the parcels in April, village trustees have extended the three tenant leases through Aug. 31, 2026.

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Fall Mum & Bulb Sale

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Each residential unit previously had its own lease expiration date each year. One year-long lease ended on May 31 before converting to a month-to-month ag reement while another concluded on July 31.

The third lease was set to expire on Oct. 31 and has been cut short to keep the duration in line with the other two leases.

According to a village memorandum from April, the renderings provided to Riverside by the United States Ar my Corps of Engineers show the wall would likely run through one of the residential structures. C onstruction on that po rt i on of the wall would li ke ly not be able to begi n until that home is d emolished after the tenants leave, though the properties have not b een for mally a ppraised to determine wh ich po rt i ons of the homes would be af fected .

615 Garfield St | Oak Park | Hours: Tu-Sun, 10:00A-4:00P

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Bring Home Fall Color Plant for Spring Blooms

Shop from a variety of colorful, hardy, homegrown mums, as well as bulbs for spring including tulips, daffodils, alliums, hyacinths, and more!

Shop in person: Starting September 19 Shop online now: oakparkconservatory.org

The three units are spread across two structures, a two-family home at the front of the property and a single-family home in the back. All three units fall on the same parcel of land, according to the Cook County Assessor’s Office, while an adjacent parcel to the south falls “under common ownership” due to its vacancy.

The homes are the southmost on the west side of West Avenue, which lines the eastern bank of the Des Plaines River and ends just before reaching the BNSF railroad that bisects Riverside.

T he village b oard approved the lease extensions as pa rt of the c onsent agend a

T he most recent estimates p lace the floodwall’s price tag at $18 million, including a sewe r separation, though Riverside will be on the hook to pay for j ust $2 million. T he village is set to rece ive $10 million in federal C ong ressional f unding and nearly $5 million from the Metropolitan Water Re clamation Dist rict of Greater Chicago.

T he office of Re p. Jesús “Chuy” García has also allocated $740,000 toward the project through C ommunity Project Funding, an initiative that allows C ongresspeople to request direct f unding fo r projects that would b enefit residents of their districts.

Last year, Village Manager Jessica Frances estimated work on the wall would conclude in 2028 or 2029 once it begins.

1st Avenue is closed through Monday

From Sept. 15-22, the major thoroughfare is closed for BNSF repairs

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

First Avenue will be closed to traffic through Monday, Sept. 22, to allow repairs to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. The closure began Monday, Sept. 15. For the week, traffic will be rerouted around the closure from Ogden Avenue to Forest Avenue and Ridgewood Road so RoadSafe, a BNSF contractor, can fix up the railroad bridge that passes over First Avenue in between Parkview Avenue and Waubansee Road.

The closure began at 5 a.m. on the first day and will last through 5 p.m. on the final day, according to Riverside’s online announcement. The detour will take drivers west on either 31st Street or Ogden Avenue,

depending on the direction they’re coming from, to LaGrange Road in LaGrange Park or LaGrange, respectively, said Tim Wiberg, Brookfield’s village manager, at the village board’s Sept. 8 meeting.

In statements on their websites, both Brookfield and Riverside have asked residents to expect longer travel time while heading to Riverside-Brookfield High School and Hollywood School as well as on Forest Avenue and Ridgewood Road and on Washington, Prairie and Maple avenues in Brookfield.

While northbound traffic will be fully prohibited, southbound traffic will be allowed from Waubansee Road to Ogden Avenue so residents of South Hollywood in Brookfield can exit the neighborhood. The only other way in or out of the area is by crossing the railroad at Hollywood Avenue.

Wiberg said Brookfield staf f learned of the closure the morning of Sept. 8 and quickly reached out to BNSF to request the exce ption.

“We stressed to them the impor tance of

The Olmsted Society website has been refreshed and we urge you to check it out. The site provides upcoming events, learning opportunities, ways you can become involved, and how to support this 57 year old organization that continues to serve the Riverside community. Visit www.olmstedsociety.org

Tickets are still available for Hop Stop 2025 but they’re going fast!

First Avenue w ill close for repairs to the BNSF railroad over pass.

people in the South Hollywood section. We know there’s lots of trains that go by, so Waubansee [Road] is the only way in and out of that area. If there’s an emergency, and there’s a train coming, we stressed that we have to have access to that neighborhood,” he said. “[Police] Chief [Michael] Kuruvilla has received word that that will

be maintained.”

Wiberg acknowledged the weeklong road closure will be “very disruptive” for Brookfield residents.

“For the work on the bridge overpass, I’m not sure why it requires the extent of the street closures, but that’s what [BNSF is] choosing to do,” he said.

COURTESY OF THE VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

“ IS PEACE OF MIND

ONE CANCER SCREENING AWAY?” NEVER WONDER. NEVER WONDER.

Where you go for you cancer care is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Now, feel conﬁdent in that decision while staying right here in the western suburbs.

As a leader in whole-person cancer care, UChicago Medicine Advent Health delivers comprehensive, expert cancer care close to home. Find a dedicated partner for your individual cancer journey just down the road.

To learn more or schedule a screening online, go to ChicagolandCancerCare.com.

Lost plushie becomes local pizzeria phenomenon

Mama Barone’s turned a Sonic the Hedgehog toy into its uno cial mascot

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Elizabeth McKenna, one of the owners of Mama Barone’s Pizza, 9209 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, said she vividly remembers the moment on Aug. 21 when her husband and co-owner, Mike Triplett, first encountered a Sonic the Hedgehog plushie a customer had left behind.

“It was a super chaotic dinner rush, and Mike came up from the back, and our cashier was working that day. He saw it on the table, and he said, ‘Hey, do you know whose this is?’ and she says, ‘Yes,’” McKenna told the Landmark.

T he c ashier remembered the f amily to whom the toy b elonged and said she would make sure to return it when she gave them the pizza slices they had ordered, McKenna said.

“She was really busy, and somebody else gave them their slices, and she never got a chance to return Sonic,” she said. “We ended up pulling the ticket of the people we thought it belonged to, and we were wrong. Throughout all the chaos, we couldn’t figure out which ticket Sonic belonged to. After a couple of phone calls that failed of trying to get a hold of the parents, we decided to post a picture on Facebook.”

In the three weeks since then, the single post has turned into an eight-part saga following the adventures of Sonic — the super-speedy, talking, blue hedgehog who originated in the 1991 video game bearing his name — in the pizza shop.

“As we were cleaning up at the end of the night, we had one slice of pizza leftover. I said, let’s take a picture with Sonic and the slice, and we’ll tell whatever worried kid and worried parents that we fed him dinner,” McKenna said. “I wanted to make sure the parent knew, A, that he was there, and, B, that I will be holding him for pickup at opening time the next day.”

From there, S onic ate a bowl of spag hetti and meatballs before starin g longingly out the wind ow for his f amily. By the fourth p ost, McKenna and her staf f had p ut S onic to wo rk ; they p ho-

to gr aphed him with an uncooked pizza he mad e, in front of the sink where he washed the dishes and even strapped i nto a ca r, ready to make a delive ry

At first, McKenna said she kept the posts to the Brookfield Connections group on Facebook, but soon, she began posting directly to Mama Barone’s page after deducing the family might be from another nearby town in an ef fort to reach the owners.

“We’re a takeout restaurant, so this little Sonic was important enough to leave the car for the two-minute walk to Mama Barone’s to pick up their pizza,” she said. “I’m thinking, for sure, this Sonic is super important to some kid who left it here by accident. We’ll post it one time, and he’ll be reunited with his owners.”

Since then, word of the plushie has spread through the community. One family with kids who are big fans of Sonic brought in plushies of other franchise characters — his friends Tails and Knuckles the Echidna as well as his rival Shadow the Hedgehog — to get a photo with the pizzeria’s plushie, which also made its way into the online saga.

“I’ve also had people request that Sonic makes their pizza when I’m taking their order. I’ve had people request that Sonic delivers their order. I’ve had a couple of people, at least twice while I’ve been here, that want to take a picture with Sonic on top of their pizza,” McKenna said. “Sonic has blown up, big-time. Although I still want him to reach his owner, I feel like I might have to get my own Sonic afterwards. He’s a sensation.”

Now, Sonic has become a bit of an inside joke among the staf f, she said.

“At the end of the night, when someone needs to pick up the slack on dishes, everybody says, ‘Where’s Sonic?’” she said. “Same thing with deliveries.”

She said, due to the plushie’s popularity, she plans to use it to promote some upcoming specials at the restaurant, which she and Triplett bought on Sept. 3, 2024. In celebration of the anniversary, Mama Barone’s collected names for a raffle from customers in the first week of September and will be drawing names every Tuesday for prizes like a free pizza delivery or merchandise.

McKenna said she and her husband also sought out the pizzeria’s top customer from their first year of operation and bought her dinner as a way to say thank you.

“It’s a very supportive community when

LOST BUT FOUND: Sonic plushie was le at Mama Barone’s. Until it is claimed by the right child, Sonic will keep making pizzas.

it comes to a family-owned business,” she said of Brookfield.

When they bought the restaurant, McKenna said she was working full-time as an emergency room technician at Loyola Hospital, but she dropped down to part-time last December to help with the pizzeria before leaving that job entirely in April to work full-time. Buying a 40-year-old restaurant has had its challenges, she said — like g etting used to the

1956 Fauld’s oven that came with it — but after the first year, she and T riplett have gotten into the swing of things.

“We’ve been doing great. We’ve gotten busier. We expanded our hours: Starting this weekend, we’re going to start staying open till 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until 9 p.m. on Sundays because we’re getting so much busier,” she said. “We’re enjoying being business owners in Brookfield so far for sure.”

PROVIDED BY ELIZABETH MCKENNA

Speakers demand action at RB on lawsuit alleging teacher abuse of student

Prokes suit draws calls for culture change

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

In the aftermath of a lawsuit alleging a for mer faculty member from Riverside Brookfield High School had engaged in an inappropriate physical relationship with a then-student, speakers at a recent public meeting demanded action.

The lawsuit filed in June by the for mer student and made public last week alle ged that the for mer director of RBTV, Gary Prokes, carried on an inappropriate relationship with her while she was a student at RBHS. The plaintiff has only been identified as Jane Doe to protect her identity. The school district is included in the suit under a ne gligence alle gation.

Four people made public comments at the Sept. 9 meeting of the RBHS District 208 Board of Education chastising the school’s leadership for not preventing the alle ged illicit relationship between Prokes and the student.

Among the speakers was Gelse Tkalec of Riverside, who called on Superintendent Kevin Skinkis to resign.

“As a taxpayer, I demand radical changes take place because of the incompetent leadership, lack of follow through and superficial investigation that recently allowed not

Parents raise concerns

from page 1

taken more serious,” said Colleen Nee. “On [Sept. 4] my son’s friends and my son were part of a school threat. The boy was going to come shoot at them at school.”

Nee said more people need to be made aware of the threat.

“This has not been told to any teachers for safety purposes, for the kids’ mental health,” Nee said at the school board meeting. “Nobody has been talked to. Parents do not know. There were racial slurs in there

one but two sexual predators to exist at RB, ” said Tkalec, referring to Prokes and for mer RBHS teacher and coach Dallas Till.

Till was fired and last year settled a lawsuit against him by a for mer student at Elmwood Park High School who Till had an alle ged sexual relationship with while she was student at Elmwood Park before he came to RBHS. Till has not been accused of any misconduct stemming from his time as a teacher and coach at RBHS.

“I demand for the resignation of Dr. Skinkis and all involved in Jane Doe’s case,” Tkalec told the school board. “I demand RB create new comprehensive policies to prevent educator sexual misconduct. I demand that RB creates a new committee consisting of educators, parents and law enforcement to create strict guidelines for interactions between educators and students. Guidelines that are required to be included in yearly trainings and educator handbooks. Policies created to be put in place on how to handle and document boundary crossing or grooming behaviors. I demand that more thorough investigations be conducted before hiring staff that will have any interactions with students.”

Skinkis declined to comment when asked for his reaction to the call for his resignation.

Assistant Superintendent Kristin Smetana, who was the principal of RBHS when the alle ged relationship between Prokes and the student occur red, also declined to comment when asked about the demand for resignations or the case

Liz Buoscio, the mother of two RBHS

for every different kind of race.”

Nee said the boy who made the threat was arrested and released. Riverside Director of Public Safety Matt Buckley said he could not comment because the case involves a juvenile.

The mothers do not want the student who made the threat to return to RBHS. Initially, the mothers said they were told the boy was expected to return to school on Sept. 15, but after more meetings between school officials and parents, the school apparently changed course and they were then told that the student who made the threat would not be returning to RBHS.

“The boy is not going to be at school,” Nee told the Landmark on Sept. 12 after meeting with school officials.

graduates and a current RBHS senior, also castigated administrators for not stepping in to prevent the alle ged sexual abuse of the student.

“My questions to the administrators in charge at that time are, why wasn’t the inappropriate texting and social media messages enough? Why wasn’t the hugging enough? How was an independent study between Prokes and this girl allowed, and why did you protect the predator and not the child?” Buoscio said. “Members of the Board of Education, are you going to hold these administrators accountable for failing to protect this girl?”

The president of the RBHS District 208 school board, Deanna Zalas, did not reply to a request for comment about the remarks of those who spoke at the school board meeting.

Bridget Jakubiak, the mother of a recent graduate and a RBHS freshman, referred to other cases of alle ged inappropriate conduct by RBHS staf f.

“The board needs to take a deep dive at the culture and the administration and how serious alle gations are dealt with at this school,” Jakubiak said. “We need to deal with the culture, and I know we’re up to the task. We have a great principal who’s always respecting students and pushing a more positive approach, but we’ve got to deal with the stuf f that is happening within our culture.”

Jakubiak suggested that RBHS put one person in charge of investigating cases of

Héctor Freytas, the principal of RB, said he could not comment on what disciplinary actions were taken against the student who made the threat.

“I met with a parent who attended Tuesday’s board of education meeting to discuss the many systems in place at RB that ensure the safety and well-being of our students, which is always our number one priority,” Freytas wrote in an email to the Landmark. “I confirmed that she had met with members of the building administration on multiple occasions to discuss the incident prior to meeting with me and attending the board meeting. We cannot provide information about the involved student or pending disciplinary action.”

Nee said she wants the boy who made the

inappropriate conduct by staf f to increase accountability.

Trent Ketchmark, a 2015 graduate of RBHS and a resident of Brookfield, delivered perhaps the most scathing remarks. He said that Prokes was verbally abusive and inappropriate as a teacher. He said he stopped taking classes from Prokes because of his conduct.

“I dropped out of RBTV because of Mr. Prokes’s unbelievable behavior,” Ketchmark said. “I watched him time and time again belittle students, bring them to tears, he would be inappropriate. Every inappropriate comment you could think of he would make. The man would have sexual comments; he would touch them inappropriately. He would Snapchat students. There was a period in my life where he would probably send me 15 to 20 Snapchats a day as a student.”

Ketchmark said that Prokes would often make sexual comments and jokes and other inappropriate comments to students.

“He would ask us how quickly we could get him drugs on his desk,” he said. “This is who this was. This man should never have been teaching. He did not act like a teacher at any point; he acted like a child all of the time.”

Ketchmark said that culture at RBHS needs to change.

“I’m here to tell you that this is serious and this needs to stop, and I’m worried that this administration is going to continue to let it happen,” he said. “I think the only way forward is to change.”

threat to get help.

“The boy should not be here, and we would all like to see him get some help with his mental health,” Nee told the school board. “The kids do say that he’s had issues in the past of doing very bizar re behaviors. The school is aware, and nothing is being done about it.”

Zamora agreed.

“Definitely, this kid needs help far away from the school,” Zamora said.

Zamora said school officials were much more responsive to her concerns after she spoke at the school board meeting than they were before the meeting

“They didn’t listen to us before the [school board] meeting,” Zamora said. “They did listen to us after the meeting.”

PO LICE REPO RT S

Brook eld police arrest man for Schiller Park DUI

Brookfield police on Sept. 9 arrested a man who had a warrant out of Schiller Park

Around 10:48 p.m., an officer responded to the Brookfield Motel, 8809 Ogden Ave., on a re port of a disturbance; a foreman for construction work at the motel told police two recently fired employees were refusing to leave the property.

Upon arriving, the officer spoke with one of the two workers, who said he was still working on the property, and the foreman owed him money for previous work. The worker called the foreman, who was not at the motel, so the officer could speak to him directly.

The foreman told the officer he had fired the man due to “poor quality of work,” according to police, having been frequently speaking on the phone rather than working. The foreman said the man threatened to tear down his past work if he was not paid and requested the officer remove the man from the property.

The man told the officer he was not aware he had been fired and was there to collect payment. After the officer told him he was no longer wanted on the site, the man contacted a friend to pick him up.

While speaking with the worker, the officer ran his ID information through the police database and learned the man had an active warrant out for his arrest from Schiller Park for driving under the influence. After being infor med of the warrant, the man said he had already taken care of it, but the officer explained the warrant was still valid.

Police took the man into custody and transported him to the police station, where he was finger printed, and his identity was confirmed. Schiller Park police sent an officer to transport the man to their police station, and Brookfield police turned the man over to them.

Possible concrete scam reported

Brookfield police on Sept. 10 responded to a report of an alle ged home repair scam, though no one was arrested.

Around 4:45 p.m., an officer responded to the 3000 block of Vernon Avenue to meet with a homeowner, who had called police to

complain about a group of men in a white minivan who had approached his property. One of the men said they had completed the concrete walkway and steps at the house and recommended the homeowner get them sealed to preserve the work, according to police.

The homeowner said the man said it would cost about $250 per pound, and the homeowner ag reed to have the men perform the work. The resident told police the men appeared to pour more concrete over the pre-existing concrete and that the work took about an hour to complete. Once it was done, he said the lead worker said the total cost would be $7,200, but they would be willing to accept $5,000 in cash instead.

The man told police he had not been presented with a contract price before it was completed. In the workers, the man said the price seemed unreasonably the bank to take out the money. The ers said they w which the man “declined,” police wrote Then, the homeowner home, and upon her speaking to him, the workers said they thing to eat and left, the man said.

The man said he did not ha contact information gave a description of the minivan to police. The officer obser concrete-like substance” and front steps of the home, according to police. The officer told the man to contact police if the wo

These items we field Police Department 8-15; they re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been crime and cases have not cated. We re port the when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at lar provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as th help in making an arrest.

ment. Each year, the department receives a minimum 0.0667% of the funds per $100 of equalized assessed value, though the village can allocate up to 0.09%.

Zavala said funds portioned into the parks and recreation fund cannot be taken back out of the fund, though revenues collected into the village’s general fund can be used for parks and recreation expenditures

The board agreed to keep the rate the same, allowing the village the most flexibility.

Next, Zavala turned to two historical wooden trolley stops in town that are deteriorating and in need of repairs. She said the Riverside Historical Museum had declined to store the wooden structures and asked if the board would like the village to restore them or remove them.

Trustee Alex Galle gos said he would like the village’s historical commission, which operates the museum, to weigh in on the value of the trolley stops and what could be done with them. Village President Doug Pollock ag reed and said he would also like Riverside’s preservation commission to look at the trolley stops and weigh in. Trustee Cristin Evans said she would be opposed to removing them outright.

The next question was on the topic of in-service days, professional workdays for non-union staff to work on development, volunteering and document retention while the village is closed to the public. Zavala said she recommended taking such days on Presidents’ Day and Indigenous People’s Day.

“These days, historically, have had very low resident traffic at the village due to residents assuming we are closed,” she said.

The board ag reed to institute in-service days.

strom Trust, a set of earmarked monies within the general fund. In 1933, resident Fred W. Malstrom created the trust to assist villagers experiencing financial hardships at Christmastime.

The trust now has a balance of $7,871, Zavala said, meaning it falls under a $10,000 threshold that was established when it was created; in order to sustain the fund, money cannot be given out unless it would not bring the fund under that $10,000 value.

Village Manager Jessica Frances said she could only recall one instance in which Riverside made use of the fund since she started at the village in 2012. She said the trust has been under the $10,000 threshold since before she started.

“There was a resident that was having a financial hardship during our parking permit renewals, so the village, through the Malstrom Trust, paid for their parking permit. Beyond that, I’m not aware of it being heavily utilized,” she said.

In response to a question from Trustee Jill Mateo, Frances said the trust could potentially be emptied out through a partnership with Riverside Township, which offers services to township residents, though the trust can only be given to village residents Otherwise, she said the police department could assist in disbursing it to residents.

The board ag reed to eliminate the trust and give the funds out.

Then, Zavala asked whether staf f should look into a potential amusement tax on television streaming services like Netflix, which could balance out decreasing revenues from existing taxes on cable plans and the revenue the village will lose once the grocery tax sunsets. Frances said the

tax could also extend to purchases made nue the new tax could bring, emphasizing that he would need to see the data to decide on

Pollock said he felt looking into a new tax on streaming platfor ms was consistent with the village’s view on the sunsetting grocery tax.

“With the grocery tax, we discussed the fact that, one, it’s re gressive, and two, to a de gree, it’s not discretionary. Everybody has to buy food,” he said. “Everybody doesn’t have to buy a streaming service, so you can choose not to pay this tax by not having streaming.”

Finally, Zavala asked whether the board should pursue a financial incentive for residents to sign up for Automatic Clearing House (ACH) water bill payments. Due to the recent exchange of water meters, she said nearly every household in Riverside was on the same water billing cycle. This year, the village began passing on credit card fees to residents rather than paying the fees itself, causing an influx of residents paying through paper checks.

She said these two changes together have inundated the front desk with paper payments they must process when the bills are due. To reduce the load on front desk staf f, Zavala suggested implementing a small incentive of $1 or $2 for residents who pay their bills through ACH bank transfers rather than credit cards or paper bills. She said she had polled other municipalities at a recent utility billing seminar and found many of them had similar policies.

Currently, about 558 households in town out of nearly 3,000 water customers are paying through ACH. Zavala said the finance department’s goal is to get that number up to 1,500.

The board reached consensus to have staf f pursue the incentive.

Senior Living: The Sooner, The Better YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone

Moving to a senior living community may not be your first choice, but delaying the decision has drawbacks. Your well-being is at stake—senior communities provide essential services that enhance physical, emotional, and social health. Waiting too long could mean missing out on support that improves your quality of life.

Additionally, postponing the move can make the transition more difficult. Moving is a big step, and delaying it may lead to unexpected challenges. By making the move earlier, you can adjust at your own pace and fully enjoy the community’s amenities.

Social connections are vital at any age, and senior living offers a built-in network of friendships. Procrastination could mean missing out on meaningful relationships that bring joy and companionship.

Ultimately, moving sooner allows you to embrace a more comfortable, engaging, and fulfilling lifestyle—why wait to enjoy all that senior living has to offer?

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

‘Jekyll & Hyde’ takes the stage in North Riverside e personali swapping

p opens Oct. 3

By TRENT BROWN

The North Ri tion of the 1990 musical “Jekyll & Hyde,” following the mad scientist Dr. self-experimental transformation into the sadistic persona of Mr. Hyde, is lurking just around the corner.

The show will run once per Frida urday and Sund North Riverside Des Plaines Av with discounts and are available on the Pla Synoma Hays, the musical’s director, said she had been pitching “Jekyll & Hyde” as a possible production The theater gr forming it last year, she said, but could get the rights until this year.

“I had always wanted to do this sho I did this show professionally years ag o, ” Hays told the have love d the music always thought, direct this!’”

Hays said she production’s music i ts da rk themes vehicle for really g ood singer s. ” T hose singers will have an extra challenge fo r this show, though.

While the North Riverside Players have tended to perform with the help of a live orchestra, they’ll be using pre-recorded instrumentals this year. It’s a move Players president Alan Meyer called a cost-saving measure but that may impact the immersion that comes with live music.

“Every day that we rehearse, we’re hearing what the orchestra is going to sound like because we’re practicing with them, which is fabulous, but it does have its downsides,” Hays said. “We can’t edit them, so we can’t slow anything down. We can’t speed anything up. We can’t repeat the music. We’re having to make some adjustments.”

In her role as the director, Hays said she focuses on grounding the scenes in reality and taking her cast’s experience into account.

“The thing I think about is, really, creating dy namic moments in each scene and making sure actors are c onnecting to each other and not just singing song s. I want them to bring the songs to l ife and think about wh at they ’re saying. No t j ust, ‘I’m going to sing b eautifully bec ause I c an,’” she said, dipping i nto singsong. “I also t ry to make sure, with the ensemble, that everybo dy has a specia l moment. Even though I have 36 p eople, I t ry to give everyone a moment, a line, something that is special for them.”

The large cast size has its pros and cons. Sometimes, blocking the stage can be a struggle if someone is absent at rehearsal, Hays said; after she’s found a way to fill an apparent hole on stage, for example, there will be an extra person at the next rehearsal who doesn’t have a spot to take.

“We have a really dive r se group, wh ich is exciting. We have p eople who have d one our shows before that we love, our core p eople. T hey ’re strong. We know how they wo rk T hey have a g ood rehearsal ethi c. We also have p eople that, maybe, we ’ve known of who have c ome from other theater group s, ” she said. “What’s really exciting is, we have a lot of new p eople to theater. We we re kind of blown aw ay with p eople who auditioned for ‘Jekyll & Hyde.’ T hey ’re li ke, ‘Thi s is my first show !’ and we ’re li ke, ‘Why would you choose this show as your firs t show?’ … It ’s fun, and tha t’s a challeng e, because we ’re g elling a lot of different t ypes of people.”

The production is the North Riverside Players’ first after receiving the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2025 Award of Excellence in Community Theatre in August,

Meyer said.

“We were humbled. We were surprised. We were thankful,” he said. “You’re never a prophet in your own land, right? Somebody else has to say, ‘Hey, these guys are doing a good job! This is wonderful.’ We will tout that a little bit.”

Hays said, as the director, she enjoys being able to put a piece of herself and her own art into each role in the show rather than being restricted to just one in the way an actor is.

“I’m also excited to see the audience’s reaction, because we do have people in the audience. Some of the ensemble, and some of the leads, are in the audience at some point,” she said. “There are a couple times where we’re trying to intimidate the audience, in a way … I have wanted to do this show for 10 years, so I’m excited that I finally get to bring it to life.”

PROVIDED BY SYNOMA HAYS

Cast members pose during a rehearsal for the North Riverside Players’ upcoming production of “Jekyll & Hyde”

Alice Lorentz, 89

North Riverside resident

Alice Jean Lorentz (nee Svoboda), 89, of North Riverside, died on Sept. 7, 2025. Born on July 11, 1936 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Alvin and the late Adelaide (nee Beranek) Svoboda; the mother of Christopher Lorentz, Jennifer (late Sonny) Schroeder and the late Laura (Jozsef) Rosko; the grandmother of Christopher Lorentz, Gina Scharle, Jacqueline Hilti, Cara Melbou, Brian (Kate) Gregg, Nicholas Schroeder, and Claire Schroeder; the great-grandmother of Massy Melbou, Youba Melbou and Everly Gregg; sister of the late Sally (late David) Beauford and Pe gg y (late Michael) Devlin; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service, 11 a.m. at Mater Christi Church, 2401 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside.

Arrangements were handled by Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.johnsonnosek.com.

Glen Kolar, 65

North Riverside ident

Glen J. Kolar, 65, of North Riverside, die on Sept. 13, 2025. Bor on July 28, 1960, he was the husband of the late Sandra Saban-Kolar; the father of Kati (Riley Connell) Kolar and his be loved dog, Ivy; the brother of Charles (Nella) Kolar and Donald (Shari) Kolar; the uncle of Mar Kolar and Sean (Shelly) Kolar; and the great-uncle of Francesca.

Visitation will take place at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 from 3 to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of Chapel Service, 11 a.m. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

OBITUARIES

Suzette Galick, 75

Loved needlework, dancing, and bike riding

Suzette L. Galick (nee Mulvey), 75, of No rt h Rive rside, died on Sept 4, 2025 in E lmhurst. Born on Jan. 1, 1950 in Washington D. C ., she enjoye d sewing, quilting , d ancing, tapestry, bike riding and embroidery

Suzette was the mother of A nthony P irain o, Ang ela Galick, and the late Daniel P iraino; the sister of Denise L ea (Frank O. Jr.) Wood and Daniel A lan (Fina) Mulvey; the aunt of Scott Christop her (Angela) Wood and Kaye lyn (Kevin) Fox; and the great aunt of Riley Fox.

Vi sitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. until the f uneral servic e, 11 a.m., at T rinity Lutheran C hurch, 300 Ardmore Ave., Vi lla Pa rk . I nterment Queen of Heaven Cemeter y.

Funeral ar r angements we re handled by Johnsonosek Funeral Home. Online c ondolences, p hotos and memories may be shared with the f amily at www.johnsonnosek.com.

Michael Richards, 63

VP of investments at Stifel

Michael T. Richards, 63, of Rive rside, died on Sept . 13, 2025. Born on June 16, 1962, he was vice president of investments at Stifel in Chicag o, a longtime c oach, and founder of the St. Mary’s Parish C hurch b asketall leagu e. A man of str ong faith, he neve r missed the hance to remind his children before bed, “S ay your praye rs. Love you. Goodnight. ”

He had a z est for l ife, a great sense of humor, and was known for handing out clever nicknames to family and friend s. He love d watching tenni s, enjoying a g ood “mixy” on the patio, g etting a relaxing back massage,

and spending time outdoors g olfing, ga rdening, bikin g through Rive rside, tr aveling, and enjoying all water activitie s. He especially treasured t rips to Michig an and New Je r sey. A devoted followe r of p olitics and a natural storyteller, he brought ener gy and laughter wherever he went and leaves behind countless memorie s. Mi ke was the husband of Mary (nee Richardson) Richards; the father of Wi lliam, Ryan, E lli e, and Erin Richards; the son of N ancy (nee Buyer) and the late Melvin Richards; brother of Juliana (Jeff) Tonkin, Paul (Karen) Richards, and the late Timothy (Heather) Richards; brother-in-law of Wi lliam (Elizabeth) Richardson, Kathleen (John) Gronert, A nne (Nicholas) Ghizzone, Jennifer Richardson, James (Basia) Richardson, and Thomas (Tif fa ny) Richardson; and is survive d by many nieces, ne phew s, and cousins.

Vi sitation will be held at C onboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road (2 blocks west of Mannheim), Westchester, on T hursd ay, Sept.18 from 4 until 8 p. m. All are asked to meet on Friday at St. Mar y C hurch, 105 Herrick Road, in Rive rside, for a f uneral Mass at 10 a.m. Inter ment will be private

In lieu of fl ower s, d onations may be made in Michael’s memory to the Pancreatic C ancer Action N etwo rk , Donation Processing C enter, P. O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950, or www.pancan.org.

Ar r angements we re handled by the Original Ku ratko Family, Brian D. Ku ratko – Director

Mary Johnson, 63

Librar y assistant

Mary M. Johnson, nee Milus, 63, of North Rive rside, died on Sept. 5, 2025. S he was the w ife of the late Geof f H. Johnson; the d aughter of the late Peter Milus and Elsie Sweeney; the daughter-in-law of Larry Johnson and N ancy Johnson (nee G ibson); the sister of Peter (Brigitte) Milus and the late Linda Gerber; and the sister-inlaw of Chris Johnson.

Services and interment private

Ar r angements we re handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Memorials are appreciated to Cat Nap from the Heart, 1101 Beach Ave., LaGrange Pa rk , IL 60526

Info rm ation 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral. c om.

To run an obituary

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

Sports

RBHS, LTHS football teams head into homecoming 3-0

Bulldogs avenge 2024 homecoming loss; Lions face rival Hinsdale Central

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior linebacker Oscar Aguir re wore yellow cleats and gloves for Friday’s football game at Ridgewood.

For home games, Aguir re goes to the neon and lime green look.

“I always like to stand out so my mom and dad can see me in the stands and know where I’m at,” Aguir re said.

Aguir re and the Bulldogs certainly stood out on both sides of the ball. They also erased the memories of a frustrating 2024 homecoming with their 51-12 running-clock victory at Ridgewood in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division opener.

“(The Ridgewood loss) last year was a kick in the teeth and doing it at homecoming didn’t feel too good. I think these guys hung on that one for a while. To be able to come out here and execute offensively and defensively was a great win for us.”

The victory was perhaps sweeter for the defense after surrendering 218 passing yards in 2024 to Angelo Vitale. On Friday, Vitale was limited to 83 on 18 attempts.

RBHS is heading into this year’s homecoming game Friday, Sept. 19 versus Elgin (2-1) in a UEC crossover.

Ridgewood (1-2) spoiled the 2024 RBHS homecoming with a 31-14 victory. The Bulldogs’ record fell to 1-2 after trailing 17-0 at halftime and 24-7.

“Being able to come over here and beat them after last year and getting whooped by them, it honestly feels amazing,” Aguir re said.

“We want to be 4-0. We haven’t been 4-0 in a while now. We want to come out with a bang.”

RBHS quarterback Braeden Novak passed for 131 yards and three more TDs Friday, giving him nine this season. Quarterback Giancarlo Garcia passed for one TD and ran in another from the 1 while rushing for 54 yards.

Jayden Karas caught two TD passes, one each from Garcia (45 yards) and Novak (51 yards).

First-year senior player Ben Biskupic caused a fumble that he returned 9 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

“We (still) have a lot of work that needs to get done and our guys understand that,” RBHS coach Sam Styler said.

At halftime, the Rebels had just 70 total yards as RBHS led 29-0.

Aguir re and Bennett Koehnen added sacks and Damian Renteria had a tackle for loss. John Evans Jr. had a pass breakup.

“I feel we got closer on defense (since 2024),” said Aguir re, among many returnees.

“We’ve become more of a unit, more in sync, more in communication. I think that’s what made the change out there.”

Biskupic also fits in as a senior newcomer on the defensive line. For his fumble return, Biskupic said he and senior Damian Nieves, playing defensive line for the first time this season, were determined to contain the outsides.

“Damian set the edge. I was able to come up behind (Vitale), smack the ball and see it,” Biskupic said. “(I thought), ‘I’m 3 away and I’ve got to get into the end zone.’ ”

Biskupic said scoring an electrifying TD was different than his experiences on the boys basketball team.

“I’m not a big scorer in basketball. I do the little things,” Biskupic said.

“(Here) I get to have a huge pl everyone’s hyping you up. (In basketball) you’ve got to get back on defense. You do get to live in the moment where (here) you’re coming to the sideline and one’s screaming and yelling.”

He also had a 38-yard punt return to set up the final score.

“I knew it was going to be a great throw (from Garcia) and then Bubba (Novak) on that second was an even better throw,” Karas said. “It was just great getting back there, getting two touchdowns.”

Jacob Retana rushed for 77 yards after a 41-yard gain for his first attempt. John Bielobradek made the score 51-6 by turning an extra-point snap into a two-point pass to Bryan Rimpala.

LTHS football

Lyons Township senior Roman Sosnovyy had one of his greatest games against Hinsdale Central in 2023.

Then a sophomore, the lineman got past current University of Iowa lineman Gene Riordan for a sack. Sosnovyy followed with a interception to help secure the 42-17 victory.

“It was the first two plays,” Sosnovyy said. “I think that drive was probably one of the greatest (defensive) drives I’ve ever had.”

The Lions (3-0), ranked No. ?? in Class 8A by the Associated Press, won 55-0 at Morton Friday. The Red Devils (2-1) are coming off a 9-6 loss at Downers Grove North.

LTHS has won three straight meetings, including 21-16 last year in Hinsdale by thwarting a last-minute drive

“We’re not really focusing all of the exterior, rankings. We’re just kind of focused on it’s another game,” Sosnovyy said.

“I know they’re our rivals but we’re just focused on this game right now. They always put up a good fight. I want to come out my senior year saying I’ve never lost to them.”

The Lions led Morton 35-0 after one quarter and 49-0 at halftime Starting quarterback Jack Slightom had TD passes to Anthony Pearson (4 yards) and Owen Matela, Frank Suero rushed for 88 yards and two TDs (27 and 4 yards) and quarterback Brock Curtin rushed for two TDs (25 and 28 yards).

EJ Kuhlman (1 yard) and Jack Janiszewski (12 yards) also rushed for TDs. Jack Lee and Alekxis Rodriguez had interceptions and Peter Chlopek recovered a fumble

Sosnovyy and the LTHS seniors are hoping for one last great memory against their rivals when they meet Saturday in Western Springs for the Lions’ homecoming

Also catching TD passes from Novak were Nico Caputo (29 yards) and Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus (6 yards).

Karas got wide open for two big TD pl

The Lions (3-0), ranked No. 7 in Class 8A by the Associated Press, won 55-0 at Morton Friday. The Red Devils (2-1) are coming off a wners Grove North (No 2 in 7A).

OSC AR AGUIRRE

FRANK SUERO

RBHS swimming and diving young but still experienced

Ellis among three seniors, but Bulldogs possess large sectiona group

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School girls swimmer Maria Ellis has come extremely close to reaching the state meet the past two seasons. This season, the senior is trying a different approach.

“I’m not so much focused on making it to state. It’s my senior year. I just want to have fun,” Ellis said. “I want to make it the season I’ve had so far, re gardless of my times. That’s my one and only goal because I think the past couple of years I’ve gotten so caught up in making state that I’ve forgotten the whole point of high school season is to have fun.”

RBHS

tional (2:10.77) to just miss the state cut of 2:10.54, which is 2:10.58 this season. As a sophomore, Ellis swam 2:10.54 at sectionals but the 2023 state cut was 2:10.26.

On Saturday, Ellis was among the highlights for the Bulldogs at their annual RB Relays Saturday by finishing third in the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.04) and 100 breast stroke (1:09.92) for the seventh-place Bulldogs seventh (105 points).

Those are her fastest times without wearing a speed suit. That will happen when Ellis and her teammates compete at sectionals.

In the 200 individual medley, Ellis was third at last year’s Hinsdale Central Sec-

Non-sectional champions must achieve state cuts at sectionals to qualify for state.

“I think (Saturday) was a great reflection of that (new) mindset,” Ellis said. “I went into this meet and I wasn’t really nervous at all. I was actually really, really excited to race and it paid of f.”

The Bulldogs only have three seniors this season – Ellis, Veda Hall and Chloe Ivan – but plenty of postseason experience.

Juniors Brynn Gizewski, Paige Phelan and Isabel Rosa and sophomores Bea Ryan, Lizzie Ryan and Charlene Wang also return

from the 2024 sectional lineup. This year’s freshmen share two first names — Violet Bower and Violet Ger ny and Josie Chase and Josephine McAllister. They graduated Hailey Vlcek, the program’s only all-state swimmer.

Like Ellis, several returnees already are ahead of their 2024 pace.

“(Our key is) just keeping the kids healthy and working together as a team to fill the spots,” RBHS swim coach Mike Laurich said. “Maria, in the offseason, has three times gone underneath the state cuts so it’s as long as we can do it at the right time at sectionals.”

Phelan and Gizewski also could contend for state under diving coach Amy Phillips.

Phelan (195.45 points) and Gizewski (182.15) were second and fourth Saty. At last year’s sectional, 419.45 Gizewski (360.45) and Phelan (354.55) were ninth and 10th yet within range of the 419.45 state cut.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement but I think I’m pretty happy with how I did (last season),” Gizewski said. “The goal is ve fun but obviously getting to state would be a nice plus.”

Gizewski had her best meet at sectionals, en with one “iffy” dive out of her 11.

“My personal goal is just to do good at sectionals (again),” Gizewski said. “If I state, I make state. I want it to happen but if it doesn’t, I can’t do much about

McCoy also continues making progress. On Saturday, McCoy was fourth in the 100 free (56.71) and seventh in the 50 free (26.28) Saturday. At the 2024 sectional, McCoy was fifth in the 100 backstroke (1:02.91) and seventh in the 100 free (54.33). Ellis, McCoy, Lizzie Ryan and Vlcek were third in the 200 free relay (1:40.16) and fourth in the 400 free relay (3:38.69).

Also at the invite, the 400 free relay with McCoy, Rosa, Wang and Ellis (3:59.97) and 200 medley relay with McCoy, Ellis, Lizzie Ryan and Bea Ryan (1:59.13) both took eighth.

“To see everybody cheering each other on (Saturday), we’ve got a lot more involvement,” Ellis said. “They’re up, they’re behind people’s lanes, giving people high fives so that’s been awesome to see this season.”

St. Ignatius and Fenwick gets boost from area players

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside residents Clara and Lily Zimmerman are following the tradition of their mother, Sarah, by playing volleyball at St. Ignatius Colle ge Prep. This year, they’re progr am teammates.

Clara and fellow junior Lola Baker of Riverside are in their second varsity seasons. Lily is now on the freshman A team.

“It’s been really fun. I like watching (Lily’s) team,” Clara said.

T he SICP varsity is of f to a 7-3 start. Like last year, Clara is a starting rightside hitter who plays in the front row. Baker is a setter in usually a two-setter of fense.

“(The goal is) just for the team to do well and have fun. There’s a lot of juniors (10),” Clara said.

Perhaps the most interesting match was outdoors Sept. 6 at DePaul Colle ge Prep T he Wolfpack lost in three sets

“(We played) on the football field. It was really fun, at night under the lights,” Bak-

er said. “A lot of Ignatius students came.”

This season, the Wolfpack have the moved up from Class 3A to 4A. T hey lost to DePaul in the 2024 sectional final after finishing third in 3A in 2023.

Besides 10 juniors, the Wolfpack have five seniors and one sophomore on varsity

“It’s definitely going to be more of a challenge (in 4A),” Baker said. “We had high expectations last year and we didn’t meet those. But we’re a pretty solid group.”

Baker and Clara Zimmerman previously were volleyball teammates at Hauser Middle School. As freshmen, they played on different freshmen teams. Baker also joined lacrosse and was on the junior varsity last season.

“For her freshman team, Lily Zimmerman is a setter usually in a one-setter of fense and plays full rotation. T he Wolfpack are 6-2.

“It’s been going pretty good. We have strong hitters and servers,” Lily said. For club volleyball, the Zimmermans

ERICA BENSON

Maria Ellis swims the 100 yard butter y during the invite, Sept. 13.

All-state senior group fuels LTHS swimming and diving

Five 2025 all-staters return for new coach, LTHS alumnus Weibel

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Lyons Township High School girls swimming and diving team has five turning senior all-staters with Maeve Collins, Lindsay Forebaugh, Dylan Jorgensen, Anna Pansing and Kylie Thompson.

The Lions also have talented freshmen who, like this year’s senior group, should make an immediate impact.

“(Forebaugh, Thompson and I) were at state freshman year. Now seeing that have freshmen that have the potential to go to state, too, it’s kind of a full-circle moment,” Jorgensen said.

“It’s been a really long time since LT trophied (top three at state) so if we get to that point, that would be awesome.”

With standouts from all four classes, the Lions bring high aspirations under new swim coach Brendan Weibel, who succeeds retired longtime coach Scott Walker. Weibel is a 2014 LTHS graduate who swam for Walker when he also coached the boys team and previously coached at Lane Tech.

Last year, the Lions took fifth at state (146 points) and established six current school records along the way.

So far this season, the Lions won their annual LT Relays Saturday and Hinsdale Central’s KP Invitational Aug. 30 (294 points) by 34 points over Rosary.

The Lions have only achieved a state trophy once by taking third in 1995 under Walker.

are moving from DuPage Elite to Chicago Elite. Baker will play this coming season for Michio based in Evergreen Park

In June, Lily Zimmerman was one of two players from her DuPage Elite 14-andunder United team named All-American at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Championships in Orlando. The team reached the semifinals in the Classic Division.

“It meant a lot to me,” Lily said. “It was kind of shocking but kind of not, too.”

“They’re swimming well, training well,” Weibel said. “I try not to think about (state finishes). If they all go faster than they’ve ever gone before, when it comes to the state meet, I think good things will happen. I just kind of focus on what we have control over. We’re very deep so if everybody’s going really fast for themselves, good things will happen.”

Collins (University of California-Santa Barbara) and Forebaugh (Dartmouth) already are committed to swimming collegiately. Collins owns the school record in the 100-yard butterfly (55.04).

There’s further experience from juniors

Fenwick

Fenwick junior and two-time all-stater

Juliana Gamboa of Riverside faces tougher competition this girls cross country season as the Friars’ move from Class 2A to 3A

Her goals haven’t changed

“Originally everyone was a little stressed with moving up (to 3A) but now everyone’s ready to rise to the challenge and work hard so I’m very excited.”

Gamboa was 21st at last year’s 2A state meet (17:41.23 for 3.0 miles) for the 17th-place

Claire Collins and Claire Crimmins and sophomores Olivia Sanchez and Abby Thompson besides freshmen Anna Fagans, Molly Forebaugh, Tatum Fridrych and Sydney Kail.

In diving, junior Brynn Krantz is a returning state qualifier and sophomore Abby Rehor also has state potential. Diving coach Julie McDermott and Walker were last year’s sectional coaches of the year.

“Definitely depth is our strength,” said Weibel, who plans on using multiple lineups throughout the season.

“Something that’s encouraging is the

Friars and 17th in 2023 (17:47.4). Gamboa feels more prepared with help from sophomore Bridget Brunick (30th at state, 18:03.34), who was five places from all-state honors.

“Last year we did around 25-30 (miles weekly) and now we’ve moving up to 40. Our goal is going to be 50,” Gamboa said.

Other Fenwick fall sports varsity athletes from Riverside include seniors Luke Leone, Christopher Polston, Diego Robles, William Tomczak and Connor Wahl (football), senior McKenna Posluszny and sophomores Simone McNally and Gweneth

depth that we have and just that multiple people can be placed in multiple events,” added Pansing. “It’s exciting to swim different things and then figure out the best lineup for sectionals, state.”

At 2024 state, the 200 medley relay with Thompson (backstroke) and Maeve Collins (butterfly) was third (1:43.04) and the 200 free relay with Pansing (school-record 1:33.21) and 400 relay with Collins and Pansing (3:25.09) were fourth (3:25.09).

Individually, Maeve Collins was fifth in the 100 fly (55.04). Earning honorable mention all-state were Forebaugh in the 100 fly (tied for 10th, 56.66) and Jorgensen in the 200 individual medley (13th, 2:07.72). In her second state diving appearance, Kranz was 17th (311.55 points for 8 dives), 3.40 points from a berth in finals.

The Lions’ all-state graduates were colge swimmers Ella Jean Kelly (Iowa), Audra Cavaliere (Illinois) and Lauren Jablonski (Bowling Green).

“I’m hoping that we kind of maybe not replace (last year’s seniors) but at least fill in those gaps and make it so we’re able to perform similar, better than we did last year,” Jorgensen said.

This season, two training changes have been weight lifting for the first time and the large team divided into three workout groups with different schedules and specialized training rather than practicing all together.

“Our goal is top three in the state. I think that would be really cool because we haven’t done that for a while,” Pansing said. “We’re just all trying to feed of f of each other’s energy and motivate each other. (The season) can get long and hard so (we need to) just try to keep our eye on that and do our best at all times.”

McNally (girls flag football), senior Aidan Haefner and junior Daniel O’Donoghue (boys golf), juniors Simone Black, Giada DeCosta and Emily Przybylski and freshman Penelope Black (cheerleading), juniors Caitlin Stack (tennis), Burke Burns (boys cross country) and Sarah Durkin (girls cross country) and freshmen Penelope Black, Stella Buckman and Marthea DeCola (swimming and diving) and from Brookfield senior Lillian Boyle (volleyball) and sophomore Samantha Stowe (swimming and diving).

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS Maeve Collins swims the 100 yard butter y during the Hinsdale Central Kendall Pickering Invitational, Aug. 30, in Hinsdale.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000838 on August 26, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of KATE LOVES CODE with the business located at: 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KATIE DONALDSON, 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal September 3, 10, 17, 2025

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS3 Plaintiff, -v.LARRY BROWN, PATRICE LOVE-COLEMAN, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2024CH10706 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 30, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 29, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 218 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-10-401-0230000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07262

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2024CH10706

TJSC#: 45-1499

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2024CH10706 I3272406

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC

Plaintiff, -v.-

Tontaneshia F. Bouie; Timothy Sharperson; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants Defendants. 2025CH00071 14 52nd Ave., Bellwood, IL 60104

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 7/17/2025, an agent of Auction. com, LLC will conduct the auction in person at 12:00 P.M. on October 22, 2025 located at 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. LOT 27 IN CASTLE HOMES ADDITION TO BELLWOOD, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOTS 4 AND 5 IN THE SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST FRACTIONAL QUARTERS AND THE NORTHEAST QUARTERS OF THE FRACTIONAL NORTHWEST QUARTER OF FRACTIONAL SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 14 52nd Ave., Bellwood, IL 60104

Property Index No. 15-08-101-0300000

The real estate is improved with a Residential Property. The judgment amount was $198,662.83 Sale Terms: 20% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Auction. com, LLC, No third party checks will be accepted. All registered bidders need to provide a photo ID in order to bid. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. (relief fee not required) The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a certificate of sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property, prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9 (g)(l) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Con-

dominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES PC (630) 794-5300 please refer to file number 14-24-07648.

Auction.com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60602 - 872-225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com.

Attorney File No. 14-24-07648 Case Number: 2025CH00071

NOTE: PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

I3272385

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.-

TORSHAUN STAMPS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, CORTEZ REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC Defendants 23 CH 08261 1046 32ND AVENUE BELLWOOD, IL 60104

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 3, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: LOT 18 IN BLOCK 4 IN SHELKETON BROTHERS THIRD ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 16, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDAIN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 1046 32ND AVENUE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104 Property Index No. 15-16-209042-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $225,269.72.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 1683418.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC

601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719

Fax #: 217-422-1754

E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com

Attorney File No. 1683418

Attorney Code. 40387

Case Number: 23 CH 08261

TJSC#: 45-1884

Case # 23 CH 08261 I3272565

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A, THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-4, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-4

Plaintiff, -v.-

ERIC B. CRAWFORD, YOLANDA CRAWFORD, VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD Defendants 2024CH03889 2112 S. 8TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 9, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 14, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2112 S. 8TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-14-324-0170000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $300,822.07.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number IL 21 9061. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Attorney File No. IL 21 9061

Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2024CH03889 TJSC#: 45-2002

Case # 2024CH03889 I3272716